Language, Language
September 21, 2009 by nina
Filed under Mommy Monday
I have the pottiest of all potty mouths. My mouth is a veritable cesspool of filth and f-bombs, molars and motherfuckers, incisors and… a really bad word that starts with an i.
I like cursing. It makes me feel better when I’m mad or stressed. Some people meditate, I yell obscenities. I think both are preferable alternatives to breaking dishes or choking the shit outta someone so, don’t judge me.
And yes, I curse in front of my children. Maybe I curse because adults cursed around me when I was young. Who knows? I really don’t buy into these theories that state that what’s done around you as a child shapes the kind of adult you’re going to be. Some people who grew up with F-bombs dropped like they were hot, never curse. Some people who got regular spankings as a child, never raise a hand to their own children. Maybe we are going to be who we are going to be regardless.
Kali, as far as I know, doesn’t curse. I say this with the same certainty that a parent who never curses around their child can. We can never be 100% sure what our kids are (or aren’t) doing when we’re not around. She says she doesn’t and I believe her. This is the same child that once refused to tell me the “c word” a fellow student had used in school. My mind raced. I asked myself, “Cunt? Cock? Cracker-ass-cracker? What could it be?”
She decided to spell it.
“C-R…”
Why would a little white boy call someone a cracker-ass-cracker, I wondered.
“…A-P.”
“Crap?! He said crap, Kali?!”
“Yes, that’s a bad word.”
So, you see what I’m dealing with. I hope that Kali, if she decides to start cursing, does so the way I did. I never cursed in front of my parents until I was an adult (a.k.a Grown Ass Woman), I cursed as a teen with my friends, I was never one of those teens to curse around other adults, and as an adult I don’t just curse in public willy-nilly (in the market, in the workplace, etc.) and around other people’s children. If I slip, I apologize, correct myself, and make sure not to do again. Most times, the parent will wave their hand and inform me that, “oh, they’ve heard worse at home.”
I don’t think that cursing is an indication of intelligence. Anyone that does is a fucking moron. I’m sure there are a bunch of nuclear physicists with a healthy cussing appetite. The key is being smart enough to know when not to cuss.
So, what are your thoughts on cursing and children?


Nina is a 34-year-old mother, wife and writer who spends her days blogging, studying, changing diapers and watching ridiculous amounts of TV. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, two children and three TiVos.




Nina you are a dumb slut whore who needs to get a job you are what is wrong with your country there are to many lazy fucks who decide to create a website and blog all day while people are at work paying your welfare..
Eat rat shit
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LikeUm, wow... When did the tard show up? :)
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LikeWhat an ugly kid he smells like a raging hot sac of do do eeeeewwwwww. uoy kcuf
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LikeI cuss like it's my own religion, and I can't stop praying. I'm with you on the whole "there are worse things in the world." Everytime someone starts on me, eps if they play the "it's a sin" I am likely to inform them that between me and the Serial Killer I am sure I am a shoe in with the big guy, and besides...who all of a sudden decided these words were "cuss words." And since when does saying one of these "words" make me an idiot?? Seriously..so if I continuosly spoke with improper grammer I could be smart as long as I didn't say sh$t.
Sigh.. I completely understand that not everyone shares my affinity for a quality curse-fest, but as you mentioned...there is a time and a place for every good F Bomb...so yes, I try to watch it in front of kids b/c I am not their parent, and it is not for me to decide what they are exposed to. I am also quite certain that many employers find it suitable, which is fine, but there will definitely be mumbling in my breath b/c well, there are just no other words that really help to explain my displeasure with a stubbed toe or a burnt finger.
Here's a great research project about swearing: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8147170.stm
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LikeI'm still crackin up @ cracker-ass-cracker! I love that one. I've been on the giving & receiving end of that one... lol!! I cuss all the time. I don't even think I realize I'm doing it anymore. Cuss words are just part of my vocab. I cuss in front of the kids, and yeah I'm a hypocrite - I don't wanna hear a cuss come out their mouth! I know they do it though, cause we got snitches up in this house - I dont care if they cuss each other out - you best not cuss at me though! I'll tear that ass up!
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LikeI very, very rarely cursed in front of my parents as a kid. When I turned 16 I kinda let up a bit and would say the "not-so-bad" cuss words like damn and shit. But now, I'm married and have pushed a baby out my hoo-ha. If I wanna say fuck...I'm gonna just say it. lol. But I would still never cuss AT my parents. That's just rude.
I think it's so funny...my Dad has only slipped up in front of my like..10 times my entire LIFE. And I've been around him before when he's talking to the guys he works with on speaker and he talks about how awful their mouths are. But he and my husband were out one day and my hubby informed me that every other word that came out of my Dad's mouth was fuck! I just wonder if he's always like that, and just won't do it around me (even though I'm grown!) or if he's doing it to put up a manly front for my husband?? Either way, it really cracks me up!
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LikeOkay, now I'm dying to know why that is! I think you should ask him and then tell me what he says. LOL!
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LikeI take Juils Roberts approach. If your 18 or older I let fly.
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LikeI've called someone asshole in front of friends' kid. Then the kid says...."Mommy, Heather thinks John is an asshole."
And Mommy says,"Heather is right, but you can't call John an asshole."
I've also had friends' kids say things like my momis a bitch. And I always say, fine, but don't let her hear you say that.
My Grandma curses, my mom doesn't my dad, I think never has. I say damn, shit hell and fucktard around them but not Fuck or Fucking.
I curse so much I think my dogs have learned to say fuck off.
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LikeMy daughter is almost 23. I swore when she was a child. My main rule was that swearing when it was just the two of us, and not done disrespectfully, was allowed. But only in the house. She is now an adult and knows where and when it is definitely not appropriate.
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LikeIt's good to hear from you again!
There is actually a stufy out that I recently read about that says that swearing when you get hurt actually sends endorphins to your brain to help you feel the hurt less. YAY! A good excuse for me to swear now! lol
Also, I agree with you...I swear like a trucker and to the best of my knowledge my girls don't swear (yet), but as they become teenagers if the biggest worry I have is weather or not they are swearing around their friends then I will consider myself lucky. I don't think it will bother me much, as long as they remember to watch their mouths in front of adults.
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LikeI swear like a trooper. Have since I was about 5. Nothing's changing me.
My friend has an 22 month old baby who's very advanced for her age, and she has started saying the F word. I think I'd have to be gagged if I had kids.
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LikeI don't have kids, but I TRY not to curse in front of my nieces and nephews. For one particular couple of nieces, it doesn't really matter because their mom uses every cuss word in the book in front of them. And I know it shouldn't be funny, but it IS!
A) The 4 yr old is dragging ass while getting ready for preschool. Mom has spoken to her a few times already. So out of the blue, the 3 yr old says, "(insert name here)! You gone make mama beat yo ass before school!"
B) The 4 yr old is spending the night at a former teacher's house. The teacher's kid is constantly nagging her and trying to hug her. She's asked her to stop several times, but when she finally gets tired she yells, "I SAID STOP G*DDAMNIT!" My sister-in-law was sooo embarassed when the teacher told her. LOL! She asked my niece why she chose the worst cuss word of all, and my niece said, "You say it all the time, mommy."
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LikeROTFLMAO!!!!
I'm supposed to be making phone calls instead I'm reading Nina's Blogs. I ran across this post and started laughing so hard I drool sliding down my chin.
I love it!
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LikeI never fuckin' curse.
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LikeI curse like a sailor too... And my "baby" is now 20 and finally will occasionally swear around me. I swear to god the EXACT same thing happened when my girl was in 2nd grade... came home saying someone used the "c" word. Same thoughts went through my mind and I finally got her to say it... yep. "Crap."
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LikeI didn't curse around my mom when I was a kid, but I did cuss. So I don't care if my kids cuss as long as I'm not around.
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Likeummmm. What really bad word starts with an "i"?
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LikeAgreed! I have quite the potty mouth myself and I can't imagine that's going to stop when I have kids. And it makes me stabby when people think cursing indicates a lack of intelligence or an inability to express yourself.
Also, why am I so determined now to find some sort of bad word that starts with "i"? There must be one...
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LikeNina I love the things I read on your blogs. I loved the clip with the little girl and with the stress I've been under I needed to laugh.
I've gotten over the cursing in front of the kids. I used to try not to and would get offended if others cursed in front of my kids but, now I realize that they will hear worse in life. And since teaching starts at home, I just teach them not to repeat it. I think they understand there are some things adults can do that children can't. Cursing is one of them.
I don't like people cursing at kids so, I never do that. This is mainly due to me feeling as if I'm belittling them. I know I get bothered when I'm speaking sensibly to a person and they start cursing at me. So, that's why I don't curse at any child. I cringe when I'm at the store and hear someone yelling for their child to get their lil' ass wherever they may be.
For the most part I've got to get my blood boiling to even start to cursing. And usually before that I've removed myself anyway. I'm a pretty patient person. My husband says I shouldn't curse anyway because I don't sound right.
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LikeI cuss to get my point across when no amount of intelligence will do.
Like people that say violence begets violence. Fucking damn right it does...but it also gets my point across and makes me feel better.
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LikeI cuss like a dirty pirate but I think I was at least 25 before I felt comfortable cussing in front of my mom. He husband used to get on me about my mouth all the time and now he cusses alot when he gets fired up about something. He is such a goodie two shoes I swear I blush sometimes when he gets going.
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LikeI LOVE cursing!
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LikeNow, I used to have a friend in Jr. High who would curse her mom OUT. She'd be like "MOM!!!! Get the fuck outta MY ROOM, you BITCH!!!!!!". I would be duckin' for her and shit, since if I even spoke to my parents with a little extra bass in my voice, it may have resulted in a shot to the dome. lol
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LikeLMAO@Ames "Snatch up offense". Ha! That's RIGHT!
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LikeMy parents cursed liked sailors around us, and we did NOT curse around them or any other adults. We just KNEW. I, to this day, at 32 years old, do not curse around my parents or elders. I do, however, curse like a drunken sailor around people it's cool to curse around. You are right, the key is to know when that "cool" point is. Profanity is fun!
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LikeMy Mom RARELY cursed around me, but I curse like a sailor. Straight out of the gutter.
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LikeSee. Who knows why some do or don't.
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LikeIm a triple cusser (curser) as in "cocksuckmotherfuckerdammit" and will so it frequently in front of Deijah. She says things like this "Mom, they said Fly Up Cover Kite" or "she is a Bees Ice Tea Cover Honey"
I have been letting her watch non-sexual R rated movies since she was 6 mainly because they usually are rated for language or violence neither of which effect her at all
We have an agreement, when she is 13 she is allowed to curse in front of her friends, when she is 16 she can curse in written form, 18 she can curse in front of me but never ever will she curse AT me, that is a snatch up offense...
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LikeAMY! LMAO
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LikeI know that's right. Snatch her up real quick. By the neck.
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LikeI have come to the conclusion that the snatch up offensive is almost more effective than the threat of a belt ( or whatever is handy ) My friend Iris swears by the lip snatch for a smart mouth...i havent had a chance to use it yet but i think it will be as effective as a smack and wont make me feel bad..
i grabbed Dei by the shirt collar a few weeks ago and it was perfect. The other one is the gritted teeth whisper, looks like you are smiling but your kid knows that if you have to open your mouth to speak or raise your voice all hell is breaking loose!
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LikeI grew up around cursing I knew if I did it my mouth would be backhanded. As my grandmother says "Do what I say and not what I do"
I curse in front of my grandmother now but there would be a cold day in hell before I cursed AT my grandmother.
I try my very hardest to keep a clean mouth around my roomates daughter when she is there on the weekends. Of course, I'm gonna slip and he'll yell at me but Ariyanna put a really quick end to that one day when she annouced "It's ok, I know I'm not allowed to say that word yet." Smart cookie :) She told me to tell her daddy that Tony Romo was a weenie myself. LOL
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LikeWe are a foul-mouthed family - with my mother being the ultimate princess of profanity. Considering the amount of time Alanna spends with my parents, the fact that her first word *wasn't* fuck is a wonder for us all. And, yet, we still don't curb our tongues around her, nor do we plan to for the next one. I'll just have to use Cassie's example and make sure they understand what "adult word" means.
However we are careful around other children and in public in general and are very quick to apologize when we've slipped. And, like you, we normally have our concern waved away.
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LikeI hate to admit this, little kids cussing cracks me up! So this video has me pissing myself...lol.
I cuss, more than I should and sometimes in front of my kids. The most I say in front of them is ass and fuck. We've had a talk with Gavin about what words that are unacceptable for him to say. For the most part he does not cuss, that I know of...lol.
I do have to stop because I have the feeling Logan is going to drop the f bomb on me, in front of company.
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LikeBwahahaha, at least you won't be surprised when she does.
I think the tricky part is the toddler age when they mimic everything. But you guys know how I feel about consistency. If you correct them enough, they get it. It worked with Kali.
Just a few minutes ago I asked her if she said bad words with her friends when adults aren't around. She said no. Never in her life. So I asked her why and she said she doesn't want to. She said she doesn't like bad words. I asked if she thought she'd curse as an adult and she said no. Then she added that she thinks its funny when Donny and I curse. She said, "Even though I don't like the words, it's the WAY you say them that make me laugh."
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Like"I don’t think that cursing is an indication of intelligence. Anyone that does is a fucking moron. I’m sure there are a bunch of nuclear physicists with a healthy cussing appetite. The key is being smart enough to know when not to cuss."
I agree with this 100%. It always irks me when people say cursing is a sign of low intelligence because you can't think of any other words to express yourself. Well, sometimes I need to express myself with a loud "FUCK!" But knowing when that's just not appropriate is a big part of it.
I was raised to never curse, and my wife was not. She swore around her parents from an early age. The result, and who knows if there is any real correlation, is that she is way more outspoken about things than I am.
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LikeIt's such a blanket statement and makes no sense.
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Like#1...I EFFIN LOVE THAT CLIP!!!!!
#2...I cuss loudly and often as well. The one thing I truly HATE is when parents or teachers teach 'Bad Words'. I get sooooo fucking PISSED when a damn 9 yr old sees fit to correct me b/c I say a 'Bad Word'. I tell them it is an 'Adult Word', not a bad word!!! I don't cuss often around children, but I'll be DAMNED if I'm gonna be shamed by one because of it. lol
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LikeI would pay good money to see a kid correct you for saying a bad word. Just sayin'.
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Like